Amounts of silicone removable from disposable plastic syringes were determined (as silicon) by the use of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. This method revealed that the silicone fluid employed as a lubricant was present in distilled water expressed from 20 to 60 percent of the syringes. As contrasted with the total silicone extractable by dissolving with methyl isobutyl ketone, water‐removable silicone appeared to be removed by a mechanical flushing action. Copyright © 1969 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company